10 Eye-Catching Takes on the American Flag From the Runways

Fun fact: The American flag as we know it has only been around since 1960 (July 4th, 1960, to be exact). It was introduced shortly after Hawaii became the nation’s fiftieth state, and in its long and tricolored history, there have been a grand total of 27 official versions: As states were added, the canton, or “star-field,” expanded. (Its thirteen stripes—representing our original thirteen colonies—have remained pretty much unchanged).

The fashion world’s homages to the flag over the years have been a little more amorphous. It’s a popular motif, no doubt, but the banner’s adaptations run the gamut from straight-up repurposing—albeit in tech-y colors (à la the jumpers at Givenchy for men’s spring 2014)—to gauzier tones of heartstring-plucking Americana, such as with Catherine Malandrino’s iconic flag dress (which featured heavily in FIT’s 2009 “Fashion & Politics” exhibition).

Sometimes it’s an all-out extravaganza: For Chanel’s recent pre-fall rodeo in Dallas, Karl Lagerfeld thoroughly adhered to the adage “Everything is bigger in Texas.” It was a barn-burner of a star-spangled spectacle.

And sometimes the symbol is polarizing: Balmain’s spring 2011 collection, arguably the apex of Christophe Decarnin’s trash-rock glory days at the house, featured burnt-out American flag tank tops that retailed for $1,400.

Here, in honor of Independence Day, is Vogue.com’s top ten most awesome and outrageous references to the American flag in clothing design. And rest assured, from the dawn’s early light to the twilight’s last gleaming, it puts the riot in patriot.